Kirkby addict with 18-year habit stole meat from Aldi

Dale Shaw, 35, of Lime Street, admitted stealing three joints of beef worth £23 from Aldi on July 1, when he appeared before magistrates on Tuesday.

He also admitted failing to meet a drug assessment on July 13 and a police bail appointment on July 20.

David Grant, mitigating, said: “He is in his 18th year of heroin addiction. On the date of the theft he was in a distressed situation funds-wise.

“He stole the meat with a view to re-sale, to fund his habit. He is on a methadone programme.

“He says that he was threatened outside the door of the court by someone he owed money to. He should have surrendered in relation to this theft.”

Shaw owes £371 to the court.

Isobel Peach, of the probation service said: “He was open and honest about the theft with the intention to fund drugs use. There is a pattern of acquisitive offending linked to drug use.

“He has not got the best record of compliance. He breached his last order twice.

“He struggles with heroin and amphetamine, but heroin is the most significant problem for him.”

Magistrates sentenced him to 12 weeks in prison, suspended for 12 months, and ordered he attend ten sessions of a rehabilitation activity.

He was also ordered to pay a £115 victim surcharge.